SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
READ: Proverbs 3 (Focus vs. 1-12)
MEMORY VERSE
“My son . . . keep my commands in your heart.” Proverbs 3:1
BACKGROUND
Sophia Roberts witnessed open heart surgery for the first time when she was around eleven years old.
While that might seem a bit young for a child to view such a medical procedure, you need to know that her dad, Dr. Harold Roberts Jr., is a heart surgeon.
In 2022, Sophia—now thirty years old and a surgery resident physician—teamed up with her dad to perform a successful aortic valve replacement.
Harold said, “What can be better? I taught this kid how to ride a bicycle Now, to get to teach her how to operate on a human heart is pretty mind-blowing.”
While few of us will teach surgery skills to a child, Solomon describes the importance of instructing something else to the next generation—to honor God and His ways.
The wise king passionately shared with his child what he’d learned in his relationship with God: “My son,…trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:1, 5), “fear the Lord” (v. 7), “honor the Lord” (v. 9), and “do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (v. 11).
Solomon knew that God “loves” and “delights in” His children who willingly receive His correction and guidance (v. 12).
Let’s teach the next generation what it means to trust, revere, honor, and be humbly molded by our awesome, amazing God. To partner with Him in doing so is a vital privilege and, well, pretty mind-blowing!
By: Tom Felten
INSIGHT
When she faced “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9, 17), Eve saw that its fruit was “desirable for gaining wisdom” (3:6), so she took it.
The wisdom humans gained in their rebellion set them in opposition to God. Now they could decide for themselves what was good and bad, but that didn’t mean they had an accurate perception of the world.
The book of Proverbs—especially chapter 3—reorients humanity, telling us that human wisdom is never enough. In verses 5-6, the author emphasizes that we’ll find the correct path when we trust God and not our own understanding.
Trusting Him alone will make our way straight. In Eden, we gained worldly wisdom; it’s only in trusting submission to God that we can learn to use it well.
APPLICATION
Why is it vital for you to share what you’ve learned about God with the next generation? What will you pass on today?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Let’s teach the next generation what it means to trust, revere, honor, and be humbly molded by our awesome, amazing God.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“The wisdom humans gained in their rebellion set them in opposition to God… In Eden, we gained worldly wisdom (but) it’s only in trusting submission to God that we can learn to use it well.” Today’s Insight
“…I want to be the bridge to the next generation…” Michael Jordan
“Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best” Bob Talbert
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me to share Your loving ways with both young and old today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“PASS IT ON” Tommy Walker
Every generation, they will tell their children
Of Your awesome power and Your mighty acts
They will tell the stories of Your faithfulness and glory
And we will pass it on to all who’ve yet to come
How You’ve been slow to anger and oh so rich in love
That all may celebrate the wonders You have done, yes
Giving you glory, honor, blessing and praise
Together we’ll pass it on, the greatness of Your ways
Giving you glory, honor, blessing and praise
Together we’ll pass it on, the greatness of Your ways
Indescribable are all Your righteous deeds
Incomprehensible is your unrivaled power
And all Your promises will stand eternally, yeah
Upholding those who fall,
Uplifting those bowed down
You are near to all, when it’s to You we call
So we now shout Your name, we celebrate Your fame
Giving you glory, honor, blessing and praise
Together we’ll pass it on, the greatness of Your ways
Giving you glory, honor, blessing and praise, oh
Together we’ll pass it on, the greatness of Your name
Pass it on pass it on, pass it on pass it on
Pass it on pass it on, pass it on pass it on
We’ll pass it on pass it on the wonders You have done
The wonders You have done
Come on everybody
Pass it on pass it on,
Together we’ll pass it on, the greatness of Your name
Forever we will…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ROMANS 8
